avoiding collision by eye or radar 143
room for tacking and wearing (turning the ship by passing the stern through
the wind; these days called jibing).
We’re stuck with these rules, so why not make it easy? A simple three-term
memory aid will remind you which vessel must give way or keep clear in any meeting
between two vessels under sail: Port-Wind-O. Here’s what the three terms mean:
Port: In a meeting between two boats under sail on opposite tacks, the right-of-way
is determined by what tack the boats are on. When a sailboat is on starboard
tack, the wind is passing over the starboard side of the boat and the boom and
mainsail are on the port side. When a boat is on port tack, the wind is passing
over the port side of the boat and the boom is on the starboard side. Starboard-
tack boats have right-of-way over port-tack boats. Said the other way, a port-tack
vessel must stay clear of a starboard-tack vessel.
Wind. When two sailing vessels converge on the same tack, the windward
vessel must stay clear. Th is is one of the rules left over from the days of
square-riggers. Carrying full canvas, a ship could block the wind of a
leeward vessel. Th e burden fell on the windward vessel to stay clear.
O. If you are overtaking another vessel, you must stay clear of it. Th is rule
applies across the board, whether you’re under sail or power. Even if you’re
under sail and overtaking a power-driven vessel, you must stay clear of it.
If you are unable to tell if you are overtaking, assume you are and give way.
When in Doubt, Have a Way Out!
If you’re unsure who has the right of way, maneuver as if you must stay clear.
Th e rules are clear on this. Many times, I’ve simply fallen off to clear another
sailing vessel whose bearing was steady while its range decreased. Make your
move early and make it substantial!
Right-of-way for sailboats is based on the sailboats’ tacks. A sailboat is on starboard tack
when the wind is coming over the starboard side of the vessel. A sailboat is on port tack
when the wind is coming over the port side of the vessel.